DROWING ACCIDENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 38

DROWING ACCIDENT.

I WASHED OFF THE ROCKS AT CAPE SAUNDERS. The distressing information was received in town about 9.15 on Sunday morning from the lighthouse-keeper at Cape ! Saunders that a young man named Walter Paterson, of 363 Castle street, Dunedin, had been washed off the rocks at Cape Saunders and drowned. The unfortunate young man, in company] with three mates — Reginald Umbers, Ber* 1 nard Umbers, and William Wilso^n — went out to Cape Saunders on Saturday on a j camping holiday, and about 8 o'clock yesterday morning started off for a spot about a quarter of a mile south of the lighthouse, with the intention of doing somei fishing off the rocks. Walter Paterson, in company with one of the others — Reginald Umbers — was standing on a shelving rock, and was just about to commence fishing. Suddenly a huge wave rolled in and swept Paterson from where he stood. When he next appeared he was about 20 '< yards out from the shore, and was lying face downwards in the water. A long fish-ing-line was thrown out to him, but the unfortunate young fellow was to all appearances unconscious, probably having struck a rock, and it was fluite impossible to do anything to save him. H<e soon disappeared from view, and although diligent search was continued all day, nothing had been seen of the body up to 7 o'clock last ' night. The rock from which he was , swept did not appear in any way dangerous, but a much larger wave than usual coming in caught him unawares, and tho sea had soon claimed its victim. The young man was the eldest son of Mr N. Paterson, of the firm of Messrs N. and E. S. Paterson, of this city, and was only 20 years of age. Mr Paterson was apprised "of the sad fact on Sunday morning, and immediately proceeded to the Cape, returning to town again late last evening. A watch was still being kept for the body by a number of people, but it ia thought probable that it will te ■washed up on some of the neighbouring beaches. The police at Port Chalmers and Broad Bay have been searching the beach between Cape Saunders and Otago Heads for any trace of the body of the youth Walter Paterson, who was washed off the rocks at Cape Saunders and drowned, but so far their efforts have not been success- . f ul. The - search i 3 still being kept up, and the fishermen have been requested to keep a sharp look-out along the coast and to inform the police of anything they may discover.